Batangas LGU orders closure of Laiya resort after COVID-19 protocols breach
MANILA, Philippines — The local government unit of San Juan, Batangas on Wednesday ordered the closure of a resort in Laiya where partygoers were seen violating the COVID-19 beach protocols.
In Memorandum No. 63 dated December 8 but released on the afternoon of December 9, San Juan Mayor Ildebrando Salud revoked the business permit of Blue Coral Beach Resort in Laiya Aplaya due to the repeated violation of the Interagency Taskforce for the Management of COVID-19’s protocols.
In a video documented by concerned individuals sent to the Department of Tourism, a large group was seen partying without face masks, face shields and are not observing physical distancing protocols at the beach of the said resort.
LOOK: A group was seen partying without face masks/face shields at a beach in Laiya, San Juan, Batangas. The individuals are also not observing the physical distancing protocols at the beach. | via @rosette_adel
— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) December 9, 2020
????: DOTpic.twitter.com/YMqf0vjpKS
Under the Memorandum Circular No. 2020-007 or the “Health and Safety Guidelines Governing the Operation of Island and Beach Destinations under the New Normal” signed by Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat in September, establishments are mandated to implement “no face mask, no entry.”
The same memorandum requires beach marshalls to ensure that protocols such as physical distancing are followed in island tourist destinations alongside the lifeguards deployed during prescribed swimming hours.
The DOT condemned this “another reckless social” gathering and immediately issued a show cause order against the management of the resort.
Asked if charges are filed against the violators, Puyat said the DOT’s mandate only covers the accreditation of establishment.
Calabarzon Regional Director Michael Angara Palispis said appropriate charges will likewise be filed against the management of the erring beach resort.
The DOT lauded the local government leaders of San Juan for taking the necessary action to revoke the business permit of the resort.
The operations of Blue Coral Beach resort were first suspended from September 2 to 17 after another violation of the IATF-EID health protocols.
In light of this, Puyat issued a stern reminder to all accommodation and tourism-establishments in Batangas and other destinations that have reopened, to follow health and safety protocols at all times.
“Erring establishments may face criminal charges as deemed appropriate by the local government unit concerned, and shall likewise be sanctioned by the DOT,” Puyat said in a statement.
“Siguro naman dahil nasampolan na ‘yung Blue Coral Resort, sana hindi na gumaya ‘yung ibang resort lalo na GCQ pa ‘yung Batangas,” she said in a press conference on the same day.
Late November, the DOT also supported the recommendation to close down an establishment which hosted a private Halloween Party where guests also violated the minimum health protocols.
Metro Manila and other areas in the NCR Plus bubble go into the more relaxed Modified ECQ starting April 12. MECQ has more restrictions than the general community quarantine. Bookmark this page for updates. Photo by The STAR/Michael Varcas
The Department of Health registers an additional 20,741 new COVID-19 infections, the second highest daily increase since the pandemic started.
- Active cases: 157,646 or 7.6% of the total
- Recoveries: 21,962 or, bringing total to 1,869,376
- Deaths: 189, raising toll to 34,062
The Philippines logs a new record high of 22,366 new COVID-19 infections, pushing the total to 1,976,202.
- Recoveries: 16,864 new; 1,797,278 total
- Deaths: 222 new; 33,330 total
- Active cases: 148,594 or 7.5% of total
Ngayong 4 PM, Agosto 30, 2021, ang Department of Health ay nakapagtala ng 22,366 na karagdagang kaso ng COVID-19. Samantala ay mayroon namang naitalang 16,864 na gumaling at 222 na pumanaw.
— Department of Health (@DOHgovph) August 30, 2021
Sa kabuuang bilang ng mga naitalang kaso sa bansa, 7.5% (148,594) ang aktibong kaso, pic.twitter.com/K3z9qxTqHu
The Department of Health logs 17,447 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the national tally to 1,916,461.
- Active cases: 142,531 or 7.4% of the total
- Recoveries: 6,771, bringing the number to 1,741,089
- Deaths: 113, or now 32,841 in total
The Philippines records a new record high of 18,332 COVID-19 cases, the highest single daily rise since the pandemic started. Coronavirus tally in the country is now at 1,857,646.
- Recoveries: 13,794 new; 1,695,335 total
- Deaths: 151 new; 31,961 total
- Active cases: 130,350 or 7% of total
Ngayong 4 PM, Agosto 23, 2021, ang Department of Health ay nakapagtala ng 18,332 na karagdagang kaso ng COVID-19. Samantala ay mayroon namang naitalang 13,794 na gumaling at 151 na pumanaw.
— Department of Health (@DOHgovph) August 23, 2021
Sa kabuuang bilang ng mga naitalang kaso sa bansa, 7.0% (130,350) ang aktibong kaso, pic.twitter.com/JPIDDFWz0Z
The Department of Health logs 16,694 more COVID-19 infections, bringing the national tally to 1,824,051.
- Active cases: 123,935 or 6.8% of the total
- Recoveries: 15,805, pushing total to 1,668,520
- Deaths: 398, bringing total to 31,596
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